Tamale 🫔
Copy & Meaning

A tamale — the ancient Mesoamerican food wrapped in corn husks that represents one of the Americas' oldest culinary traditions, stretching back over 7,000 years. Tamales are made from masa (corn dough) filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables and steamed in their husks — a technique developed long before the Spanish arrived. Christmas tamale-making is a beloved family tradition across Latin America and the Latino diaspora, with extended family gathering to assemble hundreds of tamales together.

Added in 2021, this emoji provides long-overdue representation for Latin American food culture. Used for Mexican cuisine, holiday traditions, family cooking events, and celebrating indigenous culinary heritage.